Advice HOA (Washington: homeowners association, insurance, condominium)

[ironmarge]

Our HOA has been operating without knowing laws in VA. How do we find out things like whether we are required to provide advance notice of board meetings and publication of the minutes? I have justed signed on and we are receiving some challenges from the members of the community.

Thanks

[Yankeesfan]

Here is the actual law:

LIS > Code of Virginia

This seems to be a good website if you click on the topics on the left:

Virginia Condominium & Homeowners Association Lawyer : Inman & Strickler

[Workin_Hard]

Your management company, if you have one, should be able to provide advice on complying with VA laws. Also, seek advice from your community lawyer (again, if you have one) but this can get expensive. Read and become familiar with The Property Owners' Association Act referenced above and also with all the details of your CCRs. If you're a Board member, protect yourself by sticking to the law and be sure to have proper insurance both for Directors and the community.

If your management company isn't performing, don't hesitate to seek a new one. Many communities go through several before finding a good fit. Ours was a victim of the theft of funds by Jeff Koger (see today's Washington Post story about him) and dropped his company as soon as we found what was happening. There are many companies out there who are willing to provide such services and can give good counsel on running the community.

Enlist the aid of willing community members to assist. Set up committees - landscape, CCRs, communications, architecture, etc. Have the Communications people send out newsletters, they don't have to be fancy, updating residents on what efforts are being made. People like to be informed and know where their money is being spent.

It's a thankless job and we experienced many problems getting our HOA up to speed. You'll find that many people are will ing b*tch about things but are not willing to make contributions to a solution. (Oh the stories I could tell!)

Good luck!

[MMichelle]

If your HOA has not been following the law - the only thing that can be done it to get up to speed. Take steps to correct ASAP. Really, that's all you can do.

Your mgt. co. should have been guiding the HOA - but if they haven't, they haven't. The HOA must move forward.